As I planned my return to Canada this past summer, I kept telling everyone I wanted a 'real' Canadian winter again after living overseas for 12 years. Well, I got it! Record cold temperatures and several 10+ cm dumps of snow make it official: it's a real Canadian winter! On a drive this weekend I almost missed a cool automotive sighting due to so much snow, but at the last second a familiar shape caught my eye.

Once again the lowly Chrysler K-Car had drawn me in! This time it was the Dodge Aries version, a silver sedan with interior colour unknown, since it was covered with snow. I like to think it had a red interior, front bench seat and column shifter, because I can't imagine a K-Car any other way! It's hard to tell if this car is in running shape, but I like to think that it's just taking a winter break. It's nice to get snowbound during the holidays, and I know I have been enjoying some time off to relax. Perhaps this Aries just needed to take a little break and enjoy the Canadian winter like me!

This isn't the first time I've written about the K-Car. This past summer I spied one in Montreal in the exact same place as a friend had photographed one years earlier. As these venerable models are becoming more and more rare, it is always a pleasure to spy one that isn't in a junk yard. Some rust was present on the wheel wells, and while I didn't get too close to inspect this silver Aries, the upper portion of the body appears intact at least. Another encouraging sign was the presence of 'Alberta' licence plates. If this car spent a good portion of its life out West, there's a good chance it doesn't have as much undercarriage rust as typical older cars from the East, where road salt is applied with a heavy hand.

It'a fun imagining the little Dodge trekking nearly 4,000 kms from the foot of the Rocky Mountains to the outskirts of Ottawa. Well fun for me! At some point I am going to make this trip, and what better (or worse?!) car than a K-Car! Little power, few creature comforts, high probability of breakdown or head gasket failure... sounds like an adventure to me! In hindsight, I should have knocked some snow off the windshield; perhaps the car is for sale! I think a trip back is in order to see if I can't track down the owner. This K-Car appears snowbound for the time being, so I don't think I have to worry about it going anywhere. When the spring thaw comes and the snow starts to melt, I'll be first in line to try to pick up this little gem!

In a few more hours it will be New Years where I am, so I wish everyone a very happy finish to 2017 and a very exciting 2018 full of health, happiness and some exciting automotive adventures!